Study Abroad
Steps to Apply for Aid While Studying Abroad
Complete the FAFSA
If you plan to study abroad and want to be considered for need based financial assistance you will need to complete and submit the FAFSA.
Submit Your Study Abroad Official Budget to OSFA
Once you are admitted to a study abroad program, you may request your aid package to be reevaluated. You or your study abroad program coordinator must submit a budget to OSFA. If the budget is submitted by the student it must be signed by your study abroad program coordinator. This budget will replace your on-campus budget for the semester abroad. In most cases, you will receive an initial award letter for study on the Urbana campus. After your study abroad budget is reviewed a second award letter reflecting the adjustments in your aid package will be mailed to you.
In order to receive financial aid funds for study abroad, you must be registered for study abroad and paying Range IV tuition and fees at the Urbana campus. Grants and scholarships can be affected if you're registered for less than 12 hours. Please speak with your study abroad program coordinator regarding registration.
Loans, Grants, Scholarships, & Waivers
As long as you are registered for at least 12 hours, you will receive essentially the same aid as if you were to study on campus. Studying abroad does not make a student more eligible for gift assistance. Tuition waivers only cover your actual University of Illinois tuition assessment. You must pay any additional charges. Some students who would not otherwise be eligible for a need based loan may become eligible for a Direct Subsidized Loan as a result of the increased costs of studying abroad.
Students who register for three or more credit hours and are eligible for the MAP grant will receive the lesser of their MAP award or Range IV tuition, the general fee and insurance. Students who register for fewer than three credit hours are not eligible to receive MAP.
Students who receive the Child of Employee Tuition Waiver may elect to suspend the waiver and reserve eligibility for future semester(s) by submitting a written request to OSFA.
Any increase in financial aid to help meet the additional costs of studying abroad will usually require additional loan money such as a Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS, and/or Private Alternative Loans. Federal loan limits do apply. For more information visit Loans.
Power of Attorney
If you want OSFA to give any information regarding your financial aid to your parents or anyone else, it is suggested that you sign a Power of Attorney agreement. This can be done in the Student Legal Services Office at the Illini Union. With this permission, the designated individual(s) will be able to sign your name to some legal documents such as a financial aid refund check for deposit in your checking account.
Receive Funds
Most of your financial aid funds will be credited directly to your University student account shortly before the first day of classes for the corresponding semester of registration on campus. As aid is credited, Range IV tuition and fees, as well as any study abroad program fees charged to your account, will be deducted from your financial aid proceeds.
Direct deposit is a safe, confidential, convenient, and fast way to receive your student refund. With direct deposit, your financial aid refund is electronically transferred into your bank account. Authorizing direct deposit of refunds gives you the quickest access to your funds. If you have questions concerning the direct deposit program for student refunds, you may contact University Student Financial Services and Cashier Operations at 217-333-2180 or usfscohelp@uillinois.edu.
Federal regulations require study abroad students must receive their aid at the same time as those studying on the University of Illinois campus. If family resources are insufficient to make a necessary payment, many sponsoring institutions accept a copy of a financial aid award letter as proof of the ability to pay later. On this basis, institutions often grant an extension of the due date. If the institution requires additional documentation, please discuss this with a Financial Aid Administrator.
Summer Study Abroad
To apply for summer study abroad financial aid, follow these steps:
- Complete the FAFSA, if you have not already done so.
- Register for the study abroad program.
- Complete and submit OSFA Summer Financial Aid Application along with a copy of the budget of anticipated expenses signed by your study abroad program coordinator to OSFA.
